So what: The stock has slumped over the past year on a string of disappointing quarters, but today's fourth-quarter results -- adjusted EPS of $0.34 versus the consensus of just $0.20 -- suggests that things are starting to turn. While revenue of $1.2 billion was pretty much in line with analyst estimates, a 270-basis-point increase in gross margins, coupled with a 4% bump in same-store sales, is reigning optimism over Ascena's ability to grow profitably.

Now what: Management now sees full-year adjusted EPS of $1.25 to $1.30 and expects same-store sales growth in the low single digits. "As we head into fiscal 2014, we expect macroeconomic factors to continue to pressure the apparel industry," said President and CEO David Jaffe. "Our teams are focused on driving profitable growth in 2014 and we feel that our brands are well positioned for this challenging environment." More important, with the stock still off a bit from its 52-week highs and trading at a forward P/E of 14, there might be some upside left to profit from that bullishness.

Looking for dividends?Dividend stocks can make you rich. It's as simple as that. While they don't garner the notoriety of high-flying growth stocks, they're also less likely to crash and burn. And over the long term, the compounding effect of the quarterly payouts, as well as their growth, adds up faster than most investors imagine. With this in mind, our analysts sat down to identify the absolute best of the best when it comes to rock-solid dividend stocks, drawing up a list in this free report of nine that fit the bill. To discover the identities of these companies before the rest of the market catches on, you can download this valuable free report by simply clicking here now.